News In Focus

Ministers issue guidance on community right to buy abandoned land

12 November 2018

Guidance for communities on exercising the right to buy abandoned, neglected or detrimental land has been published by the Scottish Government.

The right, which came into force in June this year, was created by the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, enacting a new part 3A of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. The 69 page document covers most aspects from the initial identification of land to the completion of a purchase. It provides a step-by-step guide, setting out the considerations that need to be taken into account, the legal requirements that must be met and the various decision-making stages.

Although the majority of the information is relevant to community groups, there is also useful information for landowners and other parties who may have a reason to be involved in the process.

The guidance applies to all applications for consent received by ministers on or after 27 June 2018.